ECU MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS 2007 Workshop Manual

281 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Carriers*
Roof railsFor further information, contact your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Loading instructions
Warning!
G
Only use carriers* when the basic carrier
bars* have been completely mounted. The
left and right roof rails are only stabilized by
means of the basic carrier bars* mounted.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. Otherwise, an improperly at-
tached carrier system or its load could be-
come detached from the vehicle.
Do not exceed the maximum roof load of
220 lb (100 kg).
Take into consideration that when the roof is
loaded, the handling characteristics are dif-
ferent from those when operating the vehi-
cles without a roof loaded.
!
Load the carriers* in such a way that the
vehicle cannot be damaged while driving.
Make sure


the tailgate can be completely opened


the tilt/sliding sunroof can be completely
raised at the rear
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible using cargo tie-down rings and
fastening materials appropriate for the
weight and size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, always use tie
down rings, and if so equipped, always use
partition net* when transporting cargo.
Never drive vehicle with the tailgate open.
Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in uncon-
sciousness and death.
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282 Controls in detailLoadingLoad distributionThe gross vehicle weight which is the
weight of the vehicle including fuel, tools,
spare wheel, installed accessories, pas-
sengers and luggage/cargo must never
exceed the load limit and Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) for your vehicle as
specified on the placard located on the
driver’s door B-pillar (
page 530). In addi-
tion, the load must be distributed in such a
way so that the weight on each axle never
exceeds the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear axle. The
GVWR and GAWR for your vehicle are indi-cated on the certification label which can
be found on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
page 530).
For more information, see “Tire and Load-
ing Information” (
page 369).
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Please pay attention to and comply with
the following instructions when loading the
vehicle and transporting cargo:


Always place items being carried
against front or rear seat backrests,
and fasten them as securely as possi-
ble.


The heaviest portion of the cargo
should always be kept as low as possi-
ble against front or rear seat backrests.For additional safety when transporting
cargo while the rear seats are unoccupied,
fasten the outer seat belts crosswise into
the opposite side buckles.
i
The cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects. The expanded cargo com-
partment (
page 284) should only be used for
items which do not fit in the cargo compartment
alone.
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283 Controls in detail
Loading
Cargo tie-down rings
Your vehicle is equipped with six cargo
tie-down rings.
Carefully secure cargo by applying even
load on all rings with rope of sufficient
strength to hold down the cargo.Cargo compartment
Four cargo tie-down rings are located in
the cargo compartment.
1Cargo tie-down ringBehind front seats
Two cargo tie-down rings are located in the
footwell behind the driver’s and passenger
seat.
1Cargo tie-down ringi
While the partition net* (
page 287) will
help protect you from smaller objects, it cannot
prevent the movement of large, heavier objects
into the passenger compartment in an accident,
during hard braking or sudden maneuvers. Such
items must be properly secured using the cargo
tie-down rings in the cargo compartment floor.
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284 Controls in detailLoadingHooks
Four hooks are located on the rear com-
partment trim panels, two on each side.
1Hook
Use the hooks to secure light weight items
only. The maximum permissible weight per
hook is 9 lbs (4 kg).
Expanding cargo compartment
You can separately fold the left and right
rear seat backrests to expand the cargo
compartment.
Folding the rear seat backrest forwardWarning!
G
When expanding the cargo compartment,
always fully fold the corresponding seats
and, if so equipped, always use the partition
net* (
page 287) when transporting cargo.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the back-
rests must remain properly locked in the up-
right position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and can cause
injury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(
page 283).
Warning!
G
Never drive the vehicle with the tailgate
open. Deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases
may enter vehicle interior resulting in un-
consciousness and death.!
Always release the seat cushion and fold it
up before folding the seat backrest forward. The
covering on the seat backrest may otherwise be
damaged.
When the seat backrest are folded forward, the
front seats may not be moved to the rearmost
position. Otherwise you could damage the front
and second-row seats.
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286 Controls in detailLoadingReturning the rear seat backrest to
original position
1Seat backrest
2Seat cushion
Fold seat backrest1 rearward until it
engages.
The red indicator5 (
page 285)
should no longer be visible.

Fold seat cushion2 rearward until it
locks into position.

Check for secure locking by pushing
and pulling on the seat backrest.
Cargo compartment cover blind
The cargo compartment cover blind can be
installed behind the rear seats.1Handle
2Mount
Rolling out blind

Pull blind on handle1 across the car-
go compartment.

Guide blind into mounts2 and re-
lease.
Rolling up blind

Disengage blind and guide retraction
by its handle1.
Warning!
G
If a red indicator is visible with the backrest
up, then the backrest is not properly locked
into position.
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when the rear seats are occupied, or the ex-
tended cargo compartment is not in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the backrest.!
With the cargo compartment cover blind in-
stalled, do not pile luggage higher than the lower
edges of the rear side windows.
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287 Controls in detail
Loading
Removing blind
1Release button
2Blind
Roll the blind up (
page 286).

Push release button1.

Pull blind2 to the left against the
spring pressure until the spring in the
cover audibly engages.

Remove the blind.
Installing blind

Place left side of blind2 in left mount.

Position right side of blind2 over right
mount.

Press release button1 and guide
cover2 into mount.

Make sure the cargo compartment
cover blind is securely fastened.
Partition net*
i
Before removing cargo compartment cover
blind behind the rear seats, fold the left or right
rear seat forward. Afterwards, return the left or
right rear seat into its original position.
i
Before installing cargo compartment cover
blind behind the front seats, fold the rear seats
forward.
Warning!
G
Make sure the partition net is properly en-
gaged at top and bottom position and the
tightening belts are securely fastened.
Never use a damaged partition net.
To help avoid personal injury from smaller
objects being thrown around in the occu-
pant compartment during a collision or sud-
den maneuver, always use partition net
when transporting cargo.
The partition net cannot prevent the move-
ment of large, heavier objects into the pas-
senger compartment in an accident. Such
items must be properly secured using the
cargo tie-down rings (
page 283) in the
cargo compartment floor.
Passenger use of seats behind installed par-
tition net is restricted because of the foot-
well being taken up by the net.
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291 Controls in detail
Loading
Inserting the cargo tie-down ring in the
mounting element
1Cargo tie-down ring
2Mounting element
Turn mounting element2 in the cargo
rail toN.

Insert cargo tie-down ring1 into
mounting element2.

Turn mounting element2 until it en-
gages in the ‹position.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.
Belt reel
1Belt reel
2Mounting element
3Locking button

Insert two mounting elements2 into a
cargo rail.

Turn mounting element2 in the cargo
rail toN.

Insert belt reel1 into mounting
element2.

Turn mounting element2 in the cargo
rail until it engages in the‹ posi-
tion.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.

Press locking button3 on the belt
reel1 and pull cargo net out in direc-
tion of arrow.
Warning!
G
The cargo tie-down rings should be subject
to equal loads. Make sure to comply with
the information provided in the loading in-
structions (
page 281).
i
The belt reel can be used to tighten
light-weight loads against the side wall of the
cargo compartment, thus securing them from
slipping.

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292 Controls in detailLoading
Place load between the cargo net and
the side wall of the cargo compart-
ment.

Press locking button3 on belt
reel1. With the other hand, slowly
pull net over load until it is taut.
Telescoping rod
1Telescoping rod
2Mounting element

Insert one mounting element2 into
each cargo rail.

Turn mounting element2 in cargo rail
toN.

Insert telescoping rod1 into mount-
ing element2.

Turn mounting element2 in cargo rail
until it engages in the‹ position.
You should be able to feel the mounting
element engage in the cargo rail.Removing rear seat cushions
If your vehicle is equipped with the cargo
management system* you can remove the
rear seat cushions.
Removing the rear seat cushions will pro-
vide you with a larger cargo compartment.

Fold the seat cushions forward
(page 285).
1Release lever

Pull seat cushion release lever1 and
remove the seat cushion by pulling it
upward.

Remove the head restraints
(page 129).
i
The telescoping rod can be used to tighten
the load against the rear seats so as to secure it
from slipping.

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294 Controls in detailUseful featuresStorage compartments Glove box/CD changer*
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lid
Opening the glove box

Pull lid release1 in direction of arrow.
Glove box lid2 opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push glove box lid2 up to close.Releasing CD changer*
1Release button
2AUX-socket (Vehicles without Rear
Seat Entertainment System*)
3CD changer

Open the glove box (
page 294).

Press release button1.
CD changer3 is released and swings
down automatically.
For information on CD changer operation,
see separate COMAND system operating
instructions.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when storing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the cargo compartment if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher
than the seat backs.
Always use partition net* when transporting
cargo. Partition net* cannot secure hard or
heavy objects.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during

braking


vehicle maneuvers


an accident
i
Depending on vehicle equipment, a
CD changer* and an AUX-socket are located in
the glove box.
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300 Controls in detailUseful featuresAshtrays*
Your vehicle is equipped with an ashtray
and a cigarette lighter (
page 301) locat-
ed in the front center console and an ash-
tray located in front of the rear seats
(
page 300).
Ashtray in the center console
1Ashtray insert
2Cover plateOpening the ashtray

Briefly touch cover plate2.
The ashtray opens automatically.
Removing ashtray insert

Grip the ashtray insert1 on the sides
and pull it out upwards.
Reinstalling ashtray insert

Install ashtray insert1.

Close ashtray cover plate2.Rear center console ashtray (front of
rear seats)
1Ashtray
2Ashtray cover
i
If your vehicle is not equipped with a smok-
ing package*, it has a storage compartment
(
page 296) with a power outlet (
page 302)
instead.
Warning!
G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Set the parking brake to secure vehicle
from movement. Set automatic transmis-
sion toP. With the automatic transmission
set toP, turn off the engine.
!
Close the ashtray when not in use and be-
fore folding the rear seats
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